Update to restrict AutoRun in Windows Vista

Microsoft has released an update for Windows Vista to restrict AutoRun entries in the AutoPlay dialog to only CD and DVD drives.

Update to restrict AutoRun

AutoRun is the ability for a device, through the use of autorun.inf, to expose a set of tasks for the user to choose upon insertion of new media into the computer. This could be a USB drive, a CD or DVD, a network drive, or any other additions of new media. The user is shown the AutoRun tasks along with other functions via the AutoPlay dialog.

Autorun is different form AutoPlay. Autorun is used to start some programs or enhanced media content automatically when you insert a CD, DVD or another media type into your computer. AutoPlay lets you choose which program to use to start different kinds of media, such as DVD, CD, etc, containing music, video, photo, etc.

Due to a rise in malware usage of the AutoRun system, the Windows 7 team has undertaken a dramatic step to block this specific threat.

To restrict AutoRun entries in the AutoPlay dialog of Windows Vista, please download & apply the patch available at KB971029.

Anand Khanse is the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, a 10-year Microsoft MVP Awardee in Windows (2006-16) & a Windows Insider MVP. Please read the entire post & the comments first, create a System Restore Point before making any changes to your system & be careful about any 3rd-party offers while installing freeware.

2 Comments

A good idea and a bad idea. A lot of people need usb devices and flash drives to autorun. Cutting off the nose despite the face? This update should not be critical, but optional only. Now NOD32 and Microsoft will forever bug me about an update that I will NEVER apply – gee THANKS A LOT Microsoft.